International development is/is not best helped through free trade - Research Proposal Example

Module International Development is best helped through Free Trade Introduction Free trade plays a vital role in international development. According to findings of a research sponsored by the US Department of Commerce, free trade has opened up most countries around the world by providing them with virtually unlimited access to markets in other regions. The concept of free trade is not restricted to business only (Rajat and Kar 23). Research shows that free trade zones have ripple effects on other vital sectors of the global economy.

For instance, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has promoted greater understanding between Canadian, Mexicans and Americans. It has created a feeling of belonging and security, hence improving foreign relations and diplomacy between the three countries (Xuepeng and Ornelas 29). Research HypothesisThrough free trade zones, preferential trade agreements and areas, lower trade barriers and virtually unlimited access to markets, free trade significantly promotes international development.

Discipline: Business (sub-discipline: international business).Second Discipline: International development (sub-discipline: free trade).DefinitionsInternational development: This is simply growth on a global scale, inclusive of major sectors of the global economy (Stevens 43).Free trade: This is the removal of trade barriers and restrictions to allow countries to trade freely and fluidly (Hanson 18). Free trade is based on the premise that provided there is a common good, countries can agree to lower or completely eliminate national trade barriers to facilitate free movement of people and goods.

Free trade zone: This is an area that has been set aside specifically for the facilitation of free trade. Free trade zones feature excellent business infrastructure, little or no government taxes and favorable labor laws to support importation of labor from all over the world (ILO 16).Preferential Trade Agreements: These are agreements between nations that lower tariffs for specific products to the participating countries (Stevens 43). Preferential Trading Areas: These are trading blocs that provide favorable access to specific products from member countries by lowering tariffs (Stevens 43).

Research PlanAn interdisciplinary approach will be employed to study the impacts of free trade on international development since the beginning of the 20th century. The researcher will examine past studies and use their findings and inferences to support arguments for free trade and its role in international development. The researcher will also use qualitative and quantitative techniques to conduct research so that the hypothesis can be validated or disproved. The research will focus on patterns of international development and free trade and examine them separately.

After that, both concepts’ patterns will be compared to establish whether any relationships exist between them and if there are, what kinds of relationships they are. The researcher will use case studies to demonstrate real examples of the impact of the impact of free trade on development. Finally, appropriate conclusions will be made on the impact of free trade on international development and its ability.Expected ConclusionsIt is anticipated that the findings of this research will prove the validity of the hypothesis by revealing that international development is best helped through free trade.

It is also anticipated that the findings will reveal that free trade is a multifaceted concept that has positive impacts on various aspects of international development. Works CitedAcharyya, Rajat, and Saibal Kar. International Trade and Economic Development. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Print.Hanson, Ann Aubrey. Free Trade. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2013. Print.ILO. Social Dimensions of Free Trade Agreements. Geneva: ILO, 2013. Print.Liu, Xuepeng, and Emanuel Ornelas. Free Trade Agreements and the Consolidation of Democracy.

Munich: CESifo, 2013. Print.Stevens, William R. Trade and Development Focus on Free Trade Agreements. New York: Nova Science, 2010. Print.